Old Rivalry Rekindled Ahead of El Clásico: Mourinho Sends Defiant Message to Barcelona over Yamal

Mourinho has made it clear that he will not change his team's game plan despite the blistering form of Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal. "I think the people who believed a week ago that Barcelona would crush us still think so. I don't think they'll change their minds just because of the match in Paris or our 4-1 win over Leipzig," Mourinho told reporters at Saturday's press conference.

Barcelona suffered their first competitive defeat of the season away at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, while Real Madrid extended their winning run in the Champions League. The 63-year-old Portuguese tactician emphasized that his side is still at the beginning of developing a new playing identity, having returned to the Santiago Bernabéu this summer following two seasons without major silverware for the club.

"People look at us as a finished article. But in football, it's hard to talk about a finished product because it is never completely done," Mourinho explained, pointing out that his first three months in charge have been disrupted by players returning from the World Cup and international breaks.

"In reality, we've only worked together for a month and a half, maybe two. The coach is still learning, analyzing, and setting the course, while the players are getting to know the coach. Comparing a team at this stage with more established sides is unfair in my view," he added.

Sunday's blockbuster showdown will mark Mourinho's first El Clásico since returning to the Real Madrid hotseat. His previous stint between 2010 and 2013 was defined by a fiery rivalry with Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, where he famously broke their domestic dominance to claim the La Liga title in 2012.

Those encounters were notorious for intense touchline spats and bitter feuds, most infamously in August 2011 when the Portuguese manager poked Barcelona's then-assistant coach Tito Vilanova in the eye.

This time, Mourinho faces Hansi Flick's Barcelona, who have won six of their last seven El Clásicos under the German tactician, netting 22 goals while conceding just 11. Yet Mourinho dismissed the idea that past records or current form will dictate Sunday's outcome.

"We're on a good run—winning, playing well, and scoring goals. But in El Clásico, what you did beforehand doesn't matter. It has zero bearing," he asserted. "El Clásico is unique; the entire football world usually grinds to a halt for it. I hope it will be a fantastic match—and that we win."

Considerable spotlight will be on Barcelona's 19-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, who is currently among the most influential players in world football and contends for the Ballon d'Or on Monday. However, Mourinho rejected suggestions that Real Madrid need a radical tactical overhaul to neutralize the teenager.

"He is a fantastic player, and you respect great players. But having respect is one thing; tearing up your plans, changing your formation, and losing your own identity is another. We won't do that for him, nor for any other top-quality opponent," he stressed.

Real Madrid have gradually discovered greater lineup stability in recent fixtures. Mourinho deployed Federico Valverde at right-back in two consecutive outings, despite previously suggesting he didn't envision the Uruguayan international in that role.

In midfield, handing opportunities to Arda Güler and Bernardo Silva has improved Madrid's ball retention and link-up play. However, Mourinho could opt for a more pragmatic setup against Barcelona, reminiscent of his first spell when he famously deployed centre-back Pepe in midfield for high-stakes clashes.

Sunday's El Clásico will therefore serve not only as a classic duel between Spain's fiercest rivals but also as an acid test for Mourinho's rebuilding project. A victory would allow Real Madrid to cut Barcelona's six-point lead and prove they are capable of matching the reigning champions.

Ahead of kickoff, however, Mourinho continues to emphasize the need for patience, maintaining that his team is still learning to execute his tactical vision.